BUSINESS owners in Okehampton this week criticised West Devon Borough Council's 'short term thinking' in refusing to waive parking fees for the Small Business Saturday UK event this weekend.

The inaugural Small Business Saturday UK will celebrate small businesses across the country, and is the culmination of a campaign to encourage communities to shop locally and support their small businesses.

More than 20 Oke-hampton businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday, marking the event by offering exciting pro-motions, including generous discounts, free prize draws and children's activities.

Organisers of the Okehampton event had requested that the council offer free car parking for the day in its pay and display car parks on Market Street and Mill Road to support the business event.

However, the council decided not to waive car parking fees for the day, due to budget constraints.

Mark Turner from Donald's Menswear said: 'The other business owners I have been in direct contact with are very disappointed that West Devon Borough Council, for one day, could not give Okehampton free parking as part of a nationally backed campaign supporting local businesses.

'They told us their decision is in line with neighbouring councils, and that may be so.

'But the Forum of Private Businesses have gotten more than 25 councils to agree to free parking for Small Business Saturday.

'It is very short term thinking. I would love to know how much West Devon car parks make in a day here.

'The wider picture is that free parking would bring more people into Okehampton, including people who may not otherwise visit.

'This gives businesses a chance to get in new customers and get new regulars coming in.

'In the long run, improving business here would make West Devon more money in business rates than car parking for one day would. It is very short sighted.

'A couple of years ago when all the factories were closing, Okeham-pton had such bad press nationally.

'We were hearing everyone in Okehampton needed foodbanks, that no-one had work, and it had a very negative effect in Okehampton, and has an ongoing effect.

'Okehampton is a great place to live, to shop, to work, and that is a message we need to get out there.

'We are trying to bring it back, because it is a great place to be.'

Ruth Kelsey of Hallwood Farm Shop has been involved with organising the event along with Mark Turner of Donald's Menswear and the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade.

She has been left disappointed by West Devon Borough Coun-cil's decision, but did not want the decision to overshadow the positivity of the event.

She said: 'I am really disappointed by the decision, but I don't want that negative vibe to counter all the good going on for the event.

'There is so much on offer on the day, and there are many good deals and promotions going on. It is a shame that we did not get the support we wanted, but so be it.'

A spokesman for West Devon Borough Council said: 'The council recognised the imperative of this initiative by bringing an urgent report to the community ser-vices committee on November 12.

'The issue was fully debated by councillors and while they were extremely sympathetic to businesses in their community, they felt they had to be mindful of the council's current budget constraints, taking into consideration the needs of all our council tax payers.

'Our funding from government has reduced dramatically and between 2014 and 2018 our total budget gap is £2.4- million.

'In light of this, the council needs to consider every penny it spends. West Devon is not the only council in the county to take this position.'

Okehampton Town Council has decided to make parking free for the day at the Simmons Park Car Park.

Town mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'Following the decision from West Devon not to offer free parking, we wanted to do our bit to support the event.

'As a council, we hope Small Business Saturday is a big success for Okehampton's traders, and we encourage shoppers to go and take part.'

The Forum of Private Business has helped to get more than 25 councils nationally to waive parking fees for the event.

The chief executive of the FPB, Phil Orford, said: 'Free parking is a proven benefit to small businesses.

'Parking charges discourage many consumers from shopping on the high street, diminishing small businesses' customer base. The forum believes removing these charges will help generate the conditions needed to make Small Business Saturday UK a great success.'